Voltage Curve Analysis for Measuring Contact Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining if measuring contacts are properly connected in electrical systems are unreliable, especially in confined spaces, as they rely on visual checks or resistance measurements that cannot accurately detect high-impedance contacts or residual voltages, posing safety risks during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A measuring system that evaluates the voltage curve after closing the measuring switch, using a voltmeter with an internal resistance and optional discharge resistor to determine contact quality by comparing characteristic and actual voltage curves, allowing for automatic detection of proper contact and voltage presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual check of measuring contacts is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to detect actual electrical contact quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual inspection method with an automated electrical measurement system. The measuring device automatically performs voltage curve measurements and contact quality assessments, substituting human visual checks with electronic detection mechanisms that provide objective, quantifiable data about contact quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device performs self-verification by automatically measuring its own contact quality through the voltage curve analysis. The system uses its internal voltmeter and evaluation unit to assess the contacting state of its own measuring contacts, eliminating the need for external verification methods.
2Measurement precision
If resistance measurement is used for contact check, then measurement precision is improved for low-impedance contacts, but reliability deteriorates for high-impedance contacts and residual voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from resistance to voltage curve characteristics. Instead of measuring resistance which fails for high-impedance contacts, the system measures voltage over time and analyzes the curve shape, which provides reliable information about contact quality across all impedance ranges including high-impedance contacts and residual voltage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary discharge of the charging circuit before the actual voltage measurement. By closing the discharge switch to discharge the capacitor through the voltmeter's internal resistance, the system ensures that residual voltages are eliminated before measurement, preventing false readings and protecting the measurement accuracy.
3Reliability
If discharge switch is closed to discharge charging circuit, then reliability is improved by eliminating residual voltage, but device complexity increases due to additional switches and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the discharge function with the existing voltmeter by utilizing its internal resistance as the discharge path. The discharge switch connects the charging circuit to the voltmeter, merging the discharge functionality with the measurement instrument itself, thereby avoiding the need for separate discharge components and reducing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures safe and reliable determination of contact quality and voltage presence, preventing false readings and potential hazards by analyzing voltage changes, thereby enabling accurate and automated voltage measurements.
Implementation Method 1
the charging circuit discharges via an internal resistance of the voltmeter
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to determine in a measuring system (2), in a simple manner and beyond doubt, whether measuring contacts (3) at which a voltage measurement should be performed have been properly contacted. This aim is achieved in that a charging circuit (5) discharges itself in the measuring system (2) by means of an internal resistor (Ri) of a voltage-measuring device (V) after a discharge switch (S1), which connects the charging circuit (5) to the voltage-measuring device (V), has been closed. When the discharge switch (S1) is closed, the contacting between the electrical system (1) and the measuring system (2) is determined after the closing of a measuring switch (S2), which connects the voltage-measuring device (V) to the measuring contacts (3), in that the voltage curve (U) at the voltage-measuring device (V) after the closing of the measuring switch (S2) is evaluated. Advantageously, the charging circuit (5) discharges after the closing of the discharge switch (S1) by means of a discharge resistor (R) connected in series or in parallel with the voltage-measuring device (V) and by means of the internal resistor (Ri).